On Thursday November 21 at the "Maxima" big-box store in the Zolitūde neighborhood of Riga, Latvia, the roof collapsed onto shoppers and workers in the store resulting in the deaths of at least 54 people. On Saturday evening (Riga time) emergency personnel suspended their search of the ruins for more victims until the following morning. They no longer believe they can find anyone alive and working in the unstable ruins at night poses too many risks. 13 people are unaccounted for.

In connection with this tragedy, a period of national mourning has been declared in Latvia from Sat. Nov. 23 until Mon. Nov. 25, and in New York the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations will have a condolence book for people to sign. Those who wish to do so may come to the Mission from Nov. 25-27 from 10 am to 12 noon and from 1 pm to 5 pm. The Mission's address is 333 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022.

Local (New York) and national (USA) Latvian organizations (including the NY Latvian congregation - see below) are in the process of setting up a means by which individuals and organizations may donate in support of the victims of this tragedy and their families. Further information will be forthcoming.Those who have financial accounts in Latvia may donate through the site ziedot.lv ("ziedot" means "donate"). Visit: www.ziedot.lv/lv/project/1762.

The Latvian Ev. Luth. Congregation of New York expresses its deepest sympathy to the victims and their families.

A donations page on this site is being created for benefit of the victims. We hope to publish it by Monday.